The Future of USMC Amphibious Doctrine

Abstract : Operations ashore during the last ten years have committed the Marine Corps to protracted operations, caused us to operate as a second land army, an created an amphibious mental and intellectual absence. This period took the Corps far away from its amphibious roots. Various think tanks to include RAND, Brookings, Stimson, Center for American Progress, and Center for a New American Security have recently conducted studies and provided recommendations for the Marine Corps regarding its budget, force size, and the future character of war without having a solid understanding of the Marine Corps Title X Mission. These studies have potential significant ramifications for the future of the Marine Corps. The future, strategic, operational, and tactical environments pose a dilemma for our current organization related to methods required to build combat power ashore. These problems are further complicated by a restrictive budgetary environment, significant debt, and the anticipated reduction of forces throughout each of our armed services.